1. Four Square Writing activity

2. What is Four Square Writing?
Four-square writing is a method of teaching basic writing skills that is applicable across language levels. It can be applied in all forms of writing.

3. What is Four Square Writing? Cont…
Prewriting and organizational skills are taught through the use of a graphic organizer.
This visual and kinesthetic aid is employed to focus writing, to provide detail and to enhance word choice.
The visual organizers help students to conceptualize, understand, and structure a piece of written discourse successfully.

4. Guidelines Four square instruction should be done weekly to bi-weekly.
It should be accompanied by other writing activities. Ex. Journal Writing
It is recommended to use the same prompt repeatedly when introducing the steps because the familiarity will aid instruction.
It is important for students to understand the relationship of ideas as demonstrated in the four square format before moving on to paragraphs.

5. How to Create a Four-Square Graphic Organizer
Fold a sheet of manila construction paper into four equal squares.
Write a topic sentence in the middle of the paper.
In three of the squares write a complete sentence which states reasons, examples, or explanations that support the sentence in the center of the paper.

6. In the fourth box the students will write a feeling sentence to support the topic.
Students will then draw in each box, which will describe their sentences.
Students will then use their Four Square writing to write a story.

7. Step 1: Categorizing - Pictures
Pets

8. Step 3: Using Complete Sentences
Center box now contains a complete sentence.
Boxes 2-4 contain complete sentences which state reasons, examples or explanations.
Each must be different, real, and quantifiable.
Students should be encouraged to illustrate these four squares.

9. The university is a great place.
Step 3: Cont…
2. Reason –
We learn here.
3. Reason –
We meet friends.
Complete sentence –
The university is a great place.
4. Reason –
We acquire skills.
5. Feeling –
I love university.

10. Step 4: Writing a Paragraph
Paragraphs are several sentences on the same topic.
Now transfer the sentences from the four blocks to lined paper for paragraph building.
Whole class modeling is best to teach this.

11. Step 5: Adding More Details
Moving from a 5 sentence to an 8 sentence paragraph; go back into the 4 square.
Add one additional detail sentence in each box.
Elaboration: tell more about the topic or tell what is so great about it.
Reason: We learn here.
Detail: I like to learn
New information.
Reason: We meet friends.
Detail: My best friend is in my class.
Complete sentence –
The university is a great place.
Reason: We acquire new skills.
Detail: I learned how to create a blog
Feeling Sentence: I love university.

12. Step 6: Add Supporting Details
The reasons, examples or explanations developed in the previous step now need further development.
In a sense, boxes 2, 3, and 4 will each be four squared independently.
These details will make up the substance of the body paragraphs of the multiple-paragraph essay.
Using the four square to develop these ideas ensures that details are aligned with the main ideas, and topic sentences start every paragraph.

13. Step 6: Adding Supporting Details
Learn
????
???
Friends
have lunch together
invite friends over
do assignments together
The university is a great place.
Have fun
making new friends
in cafeteria
break
university is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and have fun.

14. Sep 6: Adding Supporting Details
___________________________
_______________________________
_________________
_____________________________________________________________________

15. Evaluating – a Checklist for the Teacher
Student Name: ____________________
Topic: ___________________________
Yes No
1. Are the four square reasons quantifiable and not
opinions? ___ ___
2. Is there repetition of detail? ___ ___
3. Are the details logical expansions of reasons? ___ ___
4. Are the details quantifiable and factual,
free of opinion? ___ ___
5. Are there mechanical errors in the wrap-up
sentence? ___ ___

16. Step 7: Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transition Between Ideas
By now the thesis is developing into three reasons.
These reasons should be different from each other and therefore necessitate the use of transition or connecting words.
Connecting words can be explained as the “little sticking out part” of the puzzle.
Connecting words hold the
different parts of the puzzle
together.

17. Step 7: Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transitions Between Ideas
First
Learn
Also
Friends
have lunch in the cafeteria
invite friends over
university is a great place.
Next
Have fun
So you can see
The university is a great place because we learn, meet friends, and have fun.

18. Step 7: Adding Connecting Words to Provide Transitions Between Ideas
__________________________
Connecting Word
_______________________________
Connecting Word
______________________________
Wrap-Up Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________

19. Rote Instruction
When moving from the information from the four square to the multiple essay, use a rote lesson by:
The whole class builds a four square.
Build the story one sentence at a time.
As the composition is built one sentence
at a time, students copy it down.
During this time, the teacher integrates
rules of composition.

20. Expository – Usually nouns in boxes 2 – 4
Gives information
States reasons or examples
Very structured
Connecting words a must
Few quotations
Little action

21. Expository Writing Styles
The expository form is a combination of persuasion and descriptive detail.
Begin with the expository form. It varies in the following manner:
Topic sentence
Intent of information in boxes 2-4

22. Four Square in the Language Arts Program
Four square is a way to organize thoughts. It is not the writing program. However, four square exercises can be published by following the writing process.
Brainstorming: Generating ideas
Organizing: Four square or other methods
Drafting: Rough or first draft
Revising: Revision of content and style
Editing: Editing for surface features, punctuation, spelling, capitals, etc.
Remember this is a slow process. Try not o over teach.

23. Language Arts Use Beginning Middle Title End Did you like it?
Book Review
Beginning
Middle
Title
End
Did you like it?

24. Language Arts Use
Speeches: Use the format for organizing and giving the speech.
Reading Comprehension:
Have students create a four square from a passage written by an author. Discuss the organization.
Have students create a four square written by a student.
Cut up a student’s composition by sentences. Have students draw a sentence at a time and reconstruct the composition then reproduce it on at chart paper or overhead. (students can work in groups at centers for this)

25. Volcanoes are a powerful, natural force.
Four Square in Science
An excellent way to review or summarize information learned about a specific process.
What are they?
Where are they?
Workers
Resources
Volcanoes
Community
How do they operate?
Volcanoes are a powerful, natural force.
The workers, resources, and transportation are important to a community.
Transportation